Latest news with #BonnieHenry


Global News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
B.C.'s top court tosses mink farms' bid for damages after COVID-era ban
The B.C. Court of Appeal says lawsuits launched by mink farmers over a pandemic-era ban on their farms have 'no reasonable prospect of success,' dismissing their bid for damages against the province, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and other officials. The ruling posted Friday says several farms filed identical lawsuits against the provincial government after regulatory changes in 2021 made it illegal to farm mink in B.C. in response 'to the risk of farmed mink spreading respiratory viruses,' namely COVID-19. The ruling says the mink farmers disputed the 'real reason' for the regulatory overhaul, claiming the province capitulated 'to the anti-fur lobby and public opinion.' 3:28 Why is B.C. implementing a phasing out approach to ending mink farms in the province? Justice David Harris' ruling for the three-judge panel says the farmers had no 'reasonable possibility' of demonstrating the province acted unlawfully. Story continues below advertisement The ruling also says it was 'misconceived' to have named B.C.'s chief public health officer and chief veterinarian as defendants. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy It says dismissing the case is not a judgment on the merits of the mink farmers' claims, noting their 'sincere outrage' over their investments and livelihoods being destroyed by what they claimed was 'unjustified, arbitrary and capricious governmental action.' The ruling says the mink farms co-operated with the province during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate public health risks, which they claimed were not 'significant,' disputing the government's assertion that shutting down the industry was for 'legitimate public-health-related' reasons.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
B.C. mink farmers lose appeal for damages against province for pandemic-era ban
VANCOUVER — The B.C. Court of Appeal says lawsuits launched by mink farmers over a pandemic-era ban on their farms have "no reasonable prospect of success," dismissing their bid for damages against the province, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and other officials. The ruling posted Friday says several farms filed identical lawsuits against the provincial government after regulatory changes in 2021 made it illegal to farm mink in B.C. in response "to the risk of farmed mink spreading respiratory viruses," namely COVID-19. The ruling says the mink farmers disputed the "real reason" for the regulatory overhaul, claiming the province capitulated "to the anti-fur lobby and public opinion." Justice David Harris' ruling for the three-judge panel says the farmers had no "reasonable possibility" of demonstrating the province acted unlawfully. The ruling also says it was "misconceived" to have named B.C.'s chief public health officer and chief veterinarian as defendants. It says dismissing the case is not a judgment on the merits of the mink farmers' claims, noting their "sincere outrage" over their investments and livelihoods being destroyed by what they claimed was "unjustified, arbitrary and capricious governmental action." The ruling says the mink farms co-operated with the province during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate public health risks, which they claimed were not "significant," disputing the government's assertion that shutting down the industry was for "legitimate public-health-related" reasons. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2025. The Canadian Press Sign in to access your portfolio


CTV News
7 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
B.C. mink farmers lose appeal for damages against province for pandemic-era ban
Minks are seen at a farm in Naestved, Denmark, in November 2020. (Mads Claus Rasmussen / Ritzau Scanpix via AP) The B.C. Court of Appeal says lawsuits launched by mink farmers over a pandemic-era ban on their farms have 'no reasonable prospect of success,' dismissing their bid for damages against the province, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and other officials. The ruling posted Friday says several farms filed identical lawsuits against the provincial government after regulatory changes in 2021 made it illegal to farm mink in B.C. in response 'to the risk of farmed mink spreading respiratory viruses,' namely COVID-19. The ruling says the mink farmers disputed the 'real reason' for the regulatory overhaul, claiming the province capitulated 'to the anti-fur lobby and public opinion.' Justice David Harris' ruling for the three-judge panel says the farmers had no 'reasonable possibility' of demonstrating the province acted unlawfully. The ruling also says it was 'misconceived' to have named B.C.'s chief public health officer and chief veterinarian as defendants. It says dismissing the case is not a judgment on the merits of the mink farmers' claims, noting their 'sincere outrage' over their investments and livelihoods being destroyed by what they claimed was 'unjustified, arbitrary and capricious governmental action.' The ruling says the mink farms co-operated with the province during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate public health risks, which they claimed were not 'significant,' disputing the government's assertion that shutting down the industry was for 'legitimate public-health-related' reasons. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2025.


Toronto Star
7 days ago
- Health
- Toronto Star
B.C. mink farmers lose appeal for damages against province for pandemic-era ban
VANCOUVER - The B.C. Court of Appeal says lawsuits launched by mink farmers over a pandemic-era ban on their farms have 'no reasonable prospect of success,' dismissing their bid for damages against the province, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and other officials. The ruling posted Friday says several farms filed identical lawsuits against the provincial government after regulatory changes in 2021 made it illegal to farm mink in B.C. in response 'to the risk of farmed mink spreading respiratory viruses,' namely COVID-19.


Winnipeg Free Press
7 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. mink farmers lose appeal for damages against province for pandemic-era ban
VANCOUVER – The B.C. Court of Appeal says lawsuits launched by mink farmers over a pandemic-era ban on their farms have 'no reasonable prospect of success,' dismissing their bid for damages against the province, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and other officials. The ruling posted Friday says several farms filed identical lawsuits against the provincial government after regulatory changes in 2021 made it illegal to farm mink in B.C. in response 'to the risk of farmed mink spreading respiratory viruses,' namely COVID-19. The ruling says the mink farmers disputed the 'real reason' for the regulatory overhaul, claiming the province capitulated 'to the anti-fur lobby and public opinion.' Justice David Harris' ruling for the three-judge panel says the farmers had no 'reasonable possibility' of demonstrating the province acted unlawfully. The ruling also says it was 'misconceived' to have named B.C.'s chief public health officer and chief veterinarian as defendants. It says dismissing the case is not a judgment on the merits of the mink farmers' claims, noting their 'sincere outrage' over their investments and livelihoods being destroyed by what they claimed was 'unjustified, arbitrary and capricious governmental action.' The ruling says the mink farms co-operated with the province during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate public health risks, which they claimed were not 'significant,' disputing the government's assertion that shutting down the industry was for 'legitimate public-health-related' reasons. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2025.